Method and apparatus for reducing duty cycle distortion of an output signal

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for reducing the duty cycle distortion of a periodic signal in high speed devices. More specifically, there is provided a device having a switching point modulation circuit coupled to input logic and configured to modulate the periodic output signal from the input logic such that the periodic output signal is centered about a known voltage signal, such as a switching point voltage signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to high speed devices and, moreparticularly, to techniques for reducing duty cycle distortion ofsignals in high speed devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofat which may be related to various aspects of the present inventionwhich are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Advances in technology in fabricating integrated circuit devices andsystems have resulted in devices that operate at higher speeds than everbefore. High speed devices such as processors, memory devices,communication circuits, data transmission systems and other high speeddigital devices have provided users with the ability to work moreefficiently. However, by implementing high speed designs to providefaster devices and faster signals, additional problems andconsiderations may arise.

As will be appreciated, faster signals generally correspond to narrowerwindows of time in which certain events may occur, such as triggeringother signals or capturing data. For instance, a system clock may beimplemented to clock an output signal when the signal is logically highand then again, when the signal is logically low. With increased signalspeed, the timing for sampling the signal while it is logically high orlogically low is reduced. Any distortion in the signal due to slowslewing of the signal may result in a distorted duty cycle, therebyreducing the sampling time even further. This may be particularly truefor high speed applications. Thus, duty cycle distortion may result inundesirable device functionality, especially in devices implementinghigh speed designs.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems set forthabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention may become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary inverter whichmay be implemented in conjunction with the present techniques;

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of the signals associated with theexemplary inverter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a series of timing diagrams illustrating variouswaveforms and their corresponding duty cycles;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a device in accordance withembodiments of the present techniques;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thedevice illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an alternate exemplaryembodiment of the device illustrated in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made toachieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

One of the major problems in high speed design is ensuring that dutycycle distortion does not create timing problems for high speed signals.In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a periodicsignal of a logical device is compared to a known voltage signal. Byadjusting the periodic signal such that it is centered about areference, duty cycle distortion caused from slow slewing input signalsin high speed devices may be reduced or eliminated. This provides arobust technique for avoiding duty cycle distortion by adjusting theperiodic signal about a known voltage during operation such that powersupply variations, temperature variations and process shifts do notadversely affect the signal. The presently described embodiments may beimplemented in conjunction with any high speed devices, such asprocessors, communication circuits, memory devices, data transmissionsystems or other digital devices. Generally speaking, the presenttechniques are implemented such that the amplitude of an output voltagesignal is centered about the known voltage, such as a switching pointvoltage, as described further below.

FIGS. 1-3 generally illustrate the presently described concept ofswitching an output signal about a known reference signal, such as theswitching point voltage V_(SP), for instance. It is generally desirableto modulate the output of logical gates such that the output signal iscentered about a known point thereby optimizing the ability to sample orclock a particular output signal at its peak. Further, by centering theoutput signal about a fixed reference, duty cycle distortion may bereduced or eliminated.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates an inverter 10, which receives an inputsignal, such as an input voltage signal V_(INPUT), and produces anoutput voltage signal V_(OUTPUT). The switching point voltage V_(SP) ofthe inverter 10 may be implemented to provide a reference voltage signalsuch that a periodic signal (discussed further below with reference toFIGS. 3-6) may be centered about the switching point voltage V_(SP). Aswill be appreciated, the output voltage signal V_(OUTPUT) may be plottedversus the input voltage signal V_(INPUT), as illustrated in FIG. 2. Theswitching point voltage V_(SP) is the voltage at which the outputvoltage signal V_(OUTPUT) and the input voltage signal V_(INPUT) areequal, as illustrated by reference numeral 14. Because the switchingpoint voltage V_(SP) of the inverter 10 is known, this value may be usedas a reference point voltage about which a periodic output signal may becentered, to maximize each of the peak and valley of the periodic signalwithout negatively impacting one another. That is to say that bycentering a periodic signal about the switching point voltage signalV_(SP), a waveform having a 50% duty cycle may be achieved, therebyreducing the problems associated with slow slewing devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates three periodic waveform signals 16, 18 and 20relative to a switching point voltage signal V_(SP) to furtherillustrate the presently described concepts. As previously described, inmany applications, it may be desirable to center a periodic signal abouta reference voltage, such as the switching point voltage V_(SP), toprovide a 50% duty cycle for the the periodic signal. A periodicwaveform centered about the voltage switching point V_(SP) is generallyillustrated by the reference number 16. The periodic waveform 16 havinga 50% duty cycle may be converted (using additional logic) to a squarewaveform V_(OUTCENTERED), having a 50% duty cycle. As will beappreciated, a 50% duty cycle generally provides a waveform having peaksand valleys of the same relative time, thereby maximizing each of thepeaks and valleys without unfairly reducing one or the other.

In contrast, the waveforms generally illustrated by reference numerals18 and 20 indicate periodic signals which are not centered around thevoltage switching point V_(SP) For instance, the output waveform 18provides will provide a square waveform having narrow peaks, asgenerally indicated by the square waveform V_(OUTNARROW). As will beappreciated, the square waveform V_(OUTNARROW) has a duty cycle of lessthan 50%. Accordingly, the time that the signal is logically high isreduced which may disadvantageously minimize the amount of time in whichcertain switching functions and sampling instances may take place whilethe output voltage V_(OUTNARROW) is logically high. Conversely, theoutput waveform 20 provides a square waveform having a greater than 50%duty cycle, as generally indicated by the square waveform V_(OUTWIDE).As will be appreciated, the time at which the output voltage signalV_(OURWIDE) is logically low is minimized thereby reducing the amount oftime in which certain switching functions and sampling instances maytake place while the output voltage V_(OUTWIDE) is logically low.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of a high speed device 22 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. Input logic 24 isgenerally configured to receive a periodic input signal, such as aninput voltage signal V_(IN), and to produce a periodic output signal,such as an output voltage signal V_(OUT). The switching point modulationcircuit 26 may be implemented to adjust the output voltage signalV_(OUT) to produce a modulated or adjusted output voltageV_(OUTADJUSTED), such that it swings (e.g. is centered) about a knownreference voltage. Depending on the type of waveform of the outputvoltage V_(OUT), output logic 28 may be provided to generate a fulllogic signal, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thedevice 22 configured in accordance with the present techniques. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the input logic 24 comprises a voltageoutput differential amplifier 30. The differential amplifier 30 receivesan input voltage signal V_(IN) at a first input terminal and a secondreference voltage signal V_(REF) at a second input terminal. Thereference voltage signal V_(REF) may be provided by a controller (notshown), for instance, which may be internal to or external to the highspeed device 22. As will be appreciated, the differential amplifier 30provides a differential output voltage V_(OUT). In order to optimize theoutput voltage signal V_(OUT) by centering the output voltage signalV_(OUT) about a known voltage, the switching point modulation circuit 26may be implemented.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the switching point modulationcircuit 26 includes a current output differential amplifier 32 and aninverter 34. The input terminal and the output terminal of the inverter34 are coupled together to provide a switching point voltage signalV_(SP). The switching point voltage signal V_(SP) and the output voltagesignal V_(OUT) are combined through the differential amplifier 32. Ifthe output voltage signal V_(OUT) equals the switching point voltagesignal V_(SP), then the current produced at the output of thedifferential amplifier 32 equals zero, indicating that the outputvoltage signal V_(OUT) is centered around the switching point voltagesignal V_(SP). However, if V_(SP) is less than V_(OUT), the currentflows back into the output of the differential amplifier 32, therebystabilizing the voltage on the input of the inverter 34. Once thevoltage is stabilized on the input of the inverter 34, the output signalV_(OUT) will be adjusted such that it is centered about the switchingpoint voltage signal V_(SP). As will be appreciated, in accordance withthe present exemplary embodiment, the adjusted output voltage signalV_(OUTADJUSTED) having a 50% duty cycle due to the centering of theoutput voltage signal V_(OUT) about the switching point voltage signalV_(SP) will result.

Finally the output logic 28 may be implemented to generate a full logicsignal from the adjusted output voltage signal V_(OUTADJUSTED). In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the output logic 28 comprises an inverter36.

As previously described, while many applications may be optimized byproviding an output voltage signal with a 50% duty cycle, any desirablereference voltage may be implemented to adjust the output voltageV_(OUT) from the input logic 24. Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternateexemplary embodiment of the high speed device 22 is illustrated. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the input logic 24 and theoutput logic 28 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.5. However, the switching point modulation circuit 26 is provided suchthat the output voltage signal V_(OUT) is centered about V_(CC)/2Accordingly, the current output differential amplifier 32 receives theoutput voltage signal V_(OUT) from the input logic 24, as previouslydescribed, but receives a second input from a voltage divider circuitincluding resistors 38 and 40, each resistor having the same resistance.As will be appreciated, the resistors 38 and 40 are coupled together ata first node. The opposing terminal of the first resistor 38 is coupledto a voltage source V_(CC) and the opposing terminal of the secondresistor 40 is coupled to ground. Accordingly, the coupling node has aresistance of V_(CC)/2. Accordingly, the adjusted output voltageV_(OUTADJUSTED) will comprise a voltage logic signal V_(OUT) which iscentered around V_(CC)/2.

As will be appreciated, alternate voltage producing switching pointelements may be implemented along with the current output differentialamplifier 32 such that the output voltage V_(OUT) may be adjusted suchthat it is centered around any desired voltage to produce an adjustedoutput signal V_(OUTADJUSTED) having no duty cycle distortion resultingfrom slow slewing input signals. Further, it should be evident that thedifferential amplifier 30 illustrated herein comprises only oneexemplary embodiment of the input logic 24. The switching pointmodulation circuit 26 may be implemented in conjunction with any inputlogic 24 which may produce a high speed signal that may suffer dutycycle distortion due of the high speed signal.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended tobe limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention isto cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingappended claims.

1. A device comprising: input logic configured to receive a periodicinput signal and configured to produce a periodic output signal; and aswitching point modulation circuit coupled to the input logic andconfigured to modulate the periodic output signal such that the periodicoutput signal is centered about a known switching point voltage signal.2. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input logiccomprises a differential amplifier.
 3. The device, as set forth in claim1, wherein the switching point modulation circuit comprises: a switchingpoint voltage element configured to produce the switching point voltagesignal; and a comparator circuit configured to compare the switchingpoint voltage signal to the periodic output signal.
 4. The device, asset forth in claim 3, wherein the switching point voltage elementcomprises an inverter.
 5. The device, as set forth in claim 4, whereinan input terminal of the inverter is coupled to an output terminal ofthe inverter.
 6. The device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein theswitching point voltage element comprises a voltage divider.
 7. Thedevice, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the comparator circuitcomprises a differential amplifier configured to receive the switchingpoint voltage signal and the periodic output signal and configured toproduce an output current.
 8. The device, as set forth in claim 3,wherein the periodic output signal is shifted based on an output of thecomparator circuit.
 9. The device, as set forth in claim 1, comprisingoutput logic configured to receive the modulated periodic output signaland configured to produce a full logic signal.
 10. A switching pointmodulation circuit comprising: a switching point voltage elementconfigured to produce a switching point voltage signal; and a comparatorcircuit configured to compare the switching point voltage signal to aperiodic signal such that the periodic signal may be centered about theswitching point voltage signal.
 11. The switching point modulationcircuit, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the switching point voltageelement comprises an inverter.
 12. The switching point modulationcircuit, as set forth in claim 11, wherein an input terminal of theinverter is coupled to an output terminal of the inverter.
 13. Theswitching point modulation circuit, as set forth in claim 10, whereinthe switching point voltage element comprises a voltage divider.
 14. Theswitching point modulation circuit, as set forth in claim 10, whereinthe comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier configured toreceive the switching point voltage signal and the periodic outputsignal and configured to produce an output current.
 15. A method ofadjusting a switching point of a logical gate comprising: comparing anoutput voltage signal of the logical gate to a known switching pointvoltage; and shifting the output voltage signal in response to thecomparison.
 16. The method of adjusting a switching point of a logicalgate, as set forth in claim 15, wherein comparing comprises: receivingthe output voltage signal at a first input of a differential amplifier;receiving a switching point voltage signal comprising the switchingpoint voltage at a second input of the differential amplifier; andgenerating a current at an output of the differential amplifier based onthe signals received at the first and second inputs.
 17. The method ofadjusting a switching point of a logical gate, as set forth in claim 16,wherein receiving the switching point voltage signal comprises receivingthe switching point voltage signal from an inverter.
 18. The method ofadjusting a switching point of a logical gate, as set forth in claim 16,wherein receiving the switching point voltage signal comprises receivingthe switching point voltage signal from an inverter, wherein an outputof the inverter is coupled to an input of the inverter.
 19. The methodof adjusting a switching point of a logical gate, as set forth in claimclaim 16, wherein receiving the switching point voltage signal comprisesreceiving the switching point voltage signal from a voltage divider. 20.The method of adjusting a switching point of a logical gate, as setforth in claim 16, wherein receiving the output voltage signal comprisesreceiving the output voltage signal from a second differentialamplifier.
 21. The method of adjusting a switching point of a logicalgate, as set forth in claim 20, comprising: receiving an input voltagesignal at a first input of the second differential amplifier; receivinga reference voltage signal at a second input of the second differentialamplifier; and generating the output voltage signal at an output of thesecond differential amplifier based on the signals received at the firstand second inputs.
 22. A method of manufacturing a high speed devicecomprising: providing input logic configured to receive a periodic inputsignal and configured to produce a periodic output signal; and providinga switching point modulation circuit coupled to the input logic andconfigured to modulate the periodic output signal such that the periodicoutput signal is centered about a known switching point voltage signal.23. The method of manufacturing a high speed device, as set forth inclaim 22, wherein providing the input logic comprises providing adifferential amplifier.
 24. The method of manufacturing a high speeddevice, as set forth in claim 22, wherein providing the switching pointmodulation circuit comprises: providing a switching point voltageelement configured to produce the switching point voltage signal; andproviding a comparator circuit configured to compare the switching pointvoltage signal to the periodic output signal.
 25. The method ofmanufacturing a high speed device, as set forth in claim 24, whereinproviding the switching point voltage element comprises providing aninverter.
 26. The method of manufacturing a high speed device, as setforth in claim 25, wherein providing the inverter comprises providingthe inverter having an input terminal of the inverter coupled to anoutput terminal of the inverter.
 27. The method of manufacturing a highspeed device, as set forth in claim 24, wherein providing the switchingpoint voltage element comprises providing a voltage divider.
 28. Themethod of manufacturing a high speed device, as set forth in claim 24,wherein providing the comparator circuit comprises providing adifferential amplifier configured to receive the switching pint voltagesignal and the periodic output signal and configured to produce anoutput current.
 29. The method of manufacturing a high speed device, asset forth in claim 22, comprising providing output logic configured toreceive the modulated periodic output signal and configured to produce afull logic signal.